WHY SHOULD WE GO TO MASS?
When we go to church we tell the world around us who we are and what we represent. Simply by going to church makes us all evangelists to our family, friends, neighbors and the community in which we live. Jesus says very clear in his Gospels that anyone who stands up for Him before the world, He will stand up for us before God the Father (Mt.10:32). In the light of our life in eternity, what more could anyone ask, for so little effort on our part.
Attendance at church is not just simply joining in a social or community action taking place in a certain type of building. We are actually and formally worshiping God in a community setting. At this time we can thank Him for His many graces and favors to us over the past week . Most of all, though, we can acknowledge our absolute dependence on Him. It is only by His grace and mercy that we get to draw our next breath.
At church, God is able to communicate to us in a way which we may not find anywhere else. Through the prayers of the Mass/service itself, the scripture readings that change each day, and the homilies/sermons on Sundays (and other days of the week), God is able to help, encourage and instruct us in a unique and personal way. Many times one will have come away from Mass/service with a particular thought or phrase going through one’s mind, which usually and not surprisingly applies to something that is going on in one’s life at that time. We may find answers through our communications with God at Mass.
For Catholics, unless we are ill, aged or shut-in, attending Mass is the only time when we have the opportunity to go forward and receive from the hands of the celebrating Priest (or if at home, by an Extra Ordinary Eucharistic Minister), the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is not simply a memorial of the Last Supper. The wafer we receive is not a rite of remembrance but the most real Body and Blood of Jesus… Once again, Jesus said very clearly in the Gospel of John: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you… My flesh is true food and My blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in Me and I in him… who feeds on me will have life because of Me.” (Jn.6:53,55-57). Mass, for most of us, is the only time we can go forward and take the food which will give us the life that Jesus talks about in the above quotation from the Gospel of John.
Over the years of my life many Christians have told me that they can worship God just as well while strolling in the woods, or seated in some quiet place at home or elsewhere. This may be true enough in its way, but when you ask them when was the last time they strolled in the woods for an hour worshipping God, the chances are there would be no answer.
The word of God, when it is preached, presents to us the truth that the Lord wants us to know. We need to hear the word of God presented to us, analyzed, and applied to our lives so that we can live better, accomplish what God desires for us, and can bring glory and honor to Him.
The other very good reason mentioned above for going to church is to experience friendship with other Christians. We need friends in order to be well balanced and healthy. Also, in church we discover opportunities to serve and be served. Therefore, we learn to apply what is taught out of God’s word and then we learn to extend it to others outside the church.
Also, in church we share in the successes and failures of others and learn how the Lord has worked in the lives of other people. In this we are encouraged. Remember, God did not make us to be alone. We need the friendship of other believers.
So by going to church, you can have the word of God explained and learn how it can be applied to your life, see how God works in people’s lives, and experience the friendship of other Christians.
In closing, I would like to add that if you happen to be away from the practice of your faith, why not give it a try once more. Slip into a back pew on a Sunday or attend a weekday Mass, or service, somewhere, in the church of your choice. . If you live in a city of any size there is usually a Church somewhere in that city that offers a Mass or a service. Whatever the reason is that keeps you away, don’t let it stop you. Jesus is always welcoming and if you put yourself in His hands, He will find a way to bring you home.
I believe that a Christian church is God’s house on earth. What better way to be with God then to visit with Him in His own earthly home. For me this is the Catholic church. For others it may be a Protestant church - and if they are Christian churches, God will be there for each of us…
Remember, if we are serious about doing what God wants us to do in order to enter His Kingdom, then we should strongly consider going to church. How else can we do what God wants us to do if we don’t really know what it is that God wants us to do. The best way to know this is to (1) Read the Bible to see His words as presented to us by His Apostles - authors of the Gospels and (2) GO to church to hear His words, and have them explained, from the pulpit… How else will we know how God’s teachings apply to us if we won’t make ourselves available to hear them? We must know what God’s teachings are for us. Living a good life does not necessarily mean that we are following the teachings given to us by our Lord Jesus. We need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. We need to take His words to heart.
I found this inscription on an entrance door of the Naval Amphibious Base Catholic Chapel - something to think about::
“Whenever I pass a church
I always pay a visit.
So that when I am “carried” in,
The Lord won’t say, “who is it?”
Something to think about!
Thanks for posting this. 
